Day 210 / Mile 23,275

Leaving Zion National Park was tough. There were more great trails that I wanted to hike, but even though summer was just starting you could only do the bigger adventures in the morning to avoid heat stroke. The forecast showed the temps increasing everyday, so I split the area and kept on going towards that cool Pacific Ocean.

Dreaming there's a pool or ice cream shop at the end of this road... — Dreaming there's a pool or ice cream shop at the end of this road...

Ballin' on a budget. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park has an entry fee, or you can go down the street and hike 15 min to see this. — Ballin' on a budget. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park has an entry fee, or you can go down the street and hike 15 min to see this.

Off in the distance, dude buggies and motorcycles were launching kickers like these.

"All we are is dust in the wind, dude." -Ted Theodore Logan  "Dust." -Bill S. Preston, Esquire. — "All we are is dust in the wind, dude." -Ted Theodore Logan "Dust." -Bill S. Preston, Esquire.

I really, really wanted to hike to the famous rock formation called the Wave. Unless you apply 4 months in advance for a permit and know your exact date, you have to visit the BLM office at 9 am the day before you want to hike, and play a lottery which only 10 people are given permits. Well, 65 other people wanted to go out there the same day as I... and my number wasn't chosen before all the permits were given out. I wasn't going to spend days trying, so I walked out very upset and continued my adventure...

The rangers were very serious about the casualties over the years due to the disorienting terrain, lack of trail, and life threatening hot temps. I'm going to pre-apply for a permit, and hit it up in the fall. Who wants to come with? — The rangers were very serious about the casualties over the years due to the disorienting terrain, lack of trail, and life threatening hot temps. I'm going to pre-apply for a permit, and hit it up in the fall. Who wants to come with?

A sign on the side of the highway mentioned the Old Paria, which was an old ghost town that was used as a film location to some classic movies. It turns out it was burnt down in 2006, but the scenic views from out here were worth the … — A sign on the side of the highway mentioned the Old Paria, which was an old ghost town that was used as a film location to some classic movies. It turns out it was burnt down in 2006, but the scenic views from out here were worth the hour drive down the bumpy dirt road anyhow.

The landscapes are beautiful in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region. — The landscapes are beautiful in the Grand Staircase-Escalante region.

Before I sweat myself to death, I'm off to the Grand Canyon and Colorado River!